Civil War Washington

PETITION.

To the Commissioners under the act of Congress approved the 16th of April, 1862, entitled "An act for the release of certain persons held to service or labor in the District of Columbia."

Your Petitioner, Robert K Nevitt of Washington County D.C. by this his petition in writing, represents and states, that he is a person loyal to the United States, who, at the time of the passage of the said act of Congress, held a claim to service or labor against Six—persons person of African descent of the name of Mary Jackson, Richard S. Vigall, Eliza Jackson, Sarah Jackson, Alice Jackson Andrew Jackson for and during the life of said Persons and that by said act of Congress said Persons of African decent​ were discharged and freed of and from all claim of your petitioner to such service or labor; that at the time of said discharge said persons were of the age of 38. 22. 14. 10. 7. 1 ½ years respectively and of the personal description following:(1)

• Woman Mary Jackson age 38 years.— Color. dark Brown. about 5 Ft. 6 in. high. Build Medium. good Cook. Washer. and Ironer—very healthy—
• Man. Richard S. Vigall, age 22 years color. dark Brown. about 5 Ft 8 or 9 high. Build Stout. First Class Garden and Farm hand. Very healthy
• Girl. Eliza Jackson age between 14 & 15 years color. Brown about 5 Ft 3 in. high. very healthy. Build stout. good house servant.
• Girl Sarah Jackson. age 10 years color dark Brown. Well grown healthy. and very sprightly. good chamber maid—
• Girl. Alice Jackson age 7 years. healthy. and very sprightly. Color. dark Brown—
• Boy Child. Andrew Jackson, age 18 months, healthy. sprightly and well grown—

 

That your petitioner acquired his claim to the aforesaid service or labor of said persons in manner following:(2)

• To Mary Jackson by marriage in the year 1838 title by will of Capt​ John L Naylor DC and by consent of the Heirs of the said John L Naylor.
• Man Richd S. Vigall the son of Mary Jackson. born in my possession
• Girl Eliza Jackson daughter of Mary Jackson. born in my possession
• Girl Sarah Jackson, daughter of Mary Jackson. born in my possession
• Girl Alice Jackson daughter of Mary Jackson, born in my possession
• Boy. Andrew Jackson son of Mary Jackson born in my possession

That your petitioner's claim to the service or labor of said persons was, at the time of said discharge therefrom, of the value of 50 dollars 5750 in money.(3)

woman	Mary Jackson	value in money	1200—
man.	Richd S. Vigall	value—	1500
Girl.	Eliza Jackson—	value	1400
Girl	Sarah Jackson—	value—	800
Girl	Alice Jackson—	value	500
Boy	Andrew Jackson	value	150

The persons are free from all infirmities wither bodily mental, or moral—

Your petitioner hereby declares that he bears true and faithful allegiance to the Government of the United States, and that he has not borne arms against the United States in the present rebellion, nor in any way given aid or comfort thereto.

And your petitioner further states and alleges, that he has not brought said persons into the District of Columbia since the passage of said act of Congress; and that, at the time of the passage thereof, said persons were was held to service or labor therein under and by virtue of your petitioner's claim to such service or labor.

Your petitioner further states and alleges, that his said claim to the service or labor of said persons does not originate in or by virtue of any transfer heretofore made by any person who has in any manner aided or sustained the present rebellion against the Government of the United States.

And your petitioner prays the said Commissioners to investigate and determine the validity of his said claim to the service or labor of said persons herein above set forth; and if the same be found to be valid, that they appraise and apportion the value of said claim in money, and report the same to the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, in conformity to the provisions of said act of Congress.